The M-4 Carbine is a lightweight, gas operated, air cooled, magazine fed, selective rate, shoulder fired weapon with a collapsible stock. It is a soldier's best friend. However, it will only function if properly maintained. Keeping this weapon clean is critical, and in order to clean it you must first " field strip" it. See Step 1 to learn more.

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Steps

1

Before dis-assembly you must "clear the weapon" in order to ensure that the weapon is unloaded and that there is no round in the chamber.

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2

First, ensure that the weapon is on "safe" by checking the selector lever on the left side of the pistol grip.

3

Remove the magazine from the magazine well and lock the bolt to the rear. This is accomplished by pushing the magazine release button located on the right side of the magazine well. The magazine should just fall out.

4

To lock the bolt to the rear you will need to depress the lever on the left side of the charging handle (the T-shaped piece located on the bottom rear of the carrying handle) and pull sharply to the rear. While holding the charging handle all the way in the rearward position you will need to push the bottom portion of the bolt catch located on the left side of the magazine well.

5

Visually inspect the chamber for a round. If no round is present the weapon is "cleared". Push the top portion of the bolt catch to release the bolt. The weapon is now ready for dis-assembly.

6

Push the rear dis-assembly pin, located above the pistol grip, from right to left. Repeat this step on the front dis-assembly pin located above the magazine well.

7

Separate the upper and lower receivers by pulling them apart. The only removable part on the lower receiver for field stripping purposes is the butt-stock. Remove by pulling up on the adjustment lever and pulling to the rear. All dis-assembly from this point onward involves parts located in the upper receiver.

8

Remove the upper and lower hand grips by pulling down on the O-ring located in front of the magazine well while pulling the hand grips away from the barrel.

9

Remove the carrying handle by turning the mounting screws counter-clockwise.

10

Remove the bolt carrier by pulling the charging handle to the rear. The bolt carrier will come with it and should fall right out. Place it aside for further dis-assembly.

11

Remove the charging handle by lining the detentes up with the recesses in the upper receiver housing and pulling downward.

12

Remove the firing pin from the bolt carrier by pushing the firing pin retaining pin from left to right and removing it. The firing pin will fall right out.

13

Remove the cam located at the front of the bolt carrier by turning it so that it clears the gas tube and pulling it out.

14

Remove the bolt located inside the front of the bolt carrier by simply pulling it out.

15

Remove the extractor from the bolt by pushing the retaining pin out.

16

The weapon is now ready for cleaning.

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Tips

Don't try to force the dis-assembly pins or "hammer" them out as this will damage them leading to a poor upper/lower receiver fit causing a decrease in accuracy and excessive wear on internal parts. Use a cleaning rod to gently push them out.

There are some very small parts that can be easily lost. Prevent this from happening by placing small parts into a covered container.

Don't use the firing pin as a tool to disassemble any part of the bolt as this will damage it leading to misfires. A small metal punch will work fine.

Warnings

NEVER look down the barrel of a gun, loaded or unloaded! Your first try may be your last...

You must clear the weapon before disassembly to prevent an Accidental Discharge, possibly resulting in injury or death. Treat every gun as if it were loaded.

Do not attempt to dis-assemble the weapon any further unless you are a qualified gun-smith.

If you are dis-assembling more than one weapon in close proximity, do not mix up the bolts. Keep them separate as they are not interchangeable.

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